LU Controller Sandy Koetting told curators the LU operating plan assumes an increase of state appropriations of more than $324,000.

But, even with an expected $324,743 increase in state appropriations, the budget approved Thursday is $1,820,245 smaller than the operating budget curators okayed last year for the current operations.

Koetting noted the school’s “Budget Committee worked very hard (to make) tough budget cuts,” including $632,882 in institutional support, $612,341 in instructional costs, $418,228 in public service, $159,348 in operations and maintenance, $139,098 in student services and $119,556 in research.

Scholarships and waivers also were cut by $70,000.

The budget also anticipates a $2,201,508 reduction in income from tuition, incidental and mandatory fees.

Curators also okayed Lincoln’s capital improvements request required to be submitted to the Coordinating Board for Higher Education and the state’s Design and Construction office.

Submitting the list doesn’t guarantee any state funding — and there hasn’t been any for a number of years.

A proposed new, $52.6 million science building still tops the LU list.

The campuswide renovations are tabbed at more than $45.7 million.

Third on the list is a new academic classroom building, at $25.9 million.

That’s followed by a $5.6 million addition to the Richardson Fine Arts Center building.

Fifth on the list is a proposed $9.51 million Jason Hall expansion.

Improvements to the Energy Management System ($1.3 million) and repair and replacement of roofs on the main campus ($1.51 million) — both listed as maintenance and repair items — round out the list.